By Christopher Oji
It is no longer news that most Nigerians do not respect environmental sanitation, not withstanding the adverse consequences, as could be seen in the recent flooding across the nation.
During rainfall, floods usually take over the drainage, gutters and roads, with the floodwaters from the downpour threatening communities, businesses and homes.
Residents are usually left helpless, at the mercy of the floods during every incident. However, one woman, Mrs. Owen Omogiafo, is angry that untreated garbage, one of the major causes of blocked drainage, is what should be turned into wealth but Nigerians regard it as waste that is discarded indiscriminately.
In her opinion, the debris that is seen during flooding should have been turned to wealth, including things like cans, plastic bottles, metal sheet, polythene, sachets and nylon bags. These things people regard, as waste are valuable. Outside from blocking drainage and causing eyesores, they can be turned to wealth.
Omogiafo, the president and group CEO of Transcorp PLC, has decided to lead the campaign against dumping of discarded things on the roads and in gutters by visiting secondary schools across the country to raise awareness on responsibility towards the environment.
In a bold step towards sustainability and youth empowerment, Transcorp, has launched a school recycling initiative, starting at Ireti Grammar School, Ikoyi, Lagos, aimed at educating students on the importance of environmental responsibility and waste management.
The initiative, led by Transcorp’s president, was introduced as part of the company’s broader commitment to powering a better future for Africa through sustainable development.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Omogiafo emphasized the company’s sense of duty to the environment and to the younger generation.
“We are doing this because we have a duty towards the environment,” she said. “This is just to encourage you to take care of your environment and take care of yourselves. Recycling can also create jobs—something as simple as selling empty bottles or iron scrap to those who buy them, popularly known as iron benders. We are changing the narrative. Let’s begin to understand that, in a sane environment, people don’t just throw things away carelessly. We should respect our environment and make it clean.”
She also highlighted the negative impact of improper waste disposal, saying it was wrong and could lead to serious repercussions: “We need to let people know that throwing things in the gutter in the name of discarding waste is not a good idea. Our goal is to continue doing our best to power everyone into a better future, for Nigeria and for Africa at large.
“The school recycling programme is designed to engage students directly, teaching them how to handle plastic waste, particularly PET bottles, and understand the broader implications of their actions on the environment.
“We are starting our campaign against indecent disposal of waste from our secondary schools, to catch them young and make them realize that they can also make money from what they see as waste. When they see all those things they regard as waste, they can pick them up and sell them to those who need them. That is why we are collaborating with a recycling company that has talked to them about recycling. We have donated two waste disposal bins where they will drop nylon, iron or bottles and we have arranged with a recycling company that will be coming to pick them, from time to time. I encourage the students to take the message to their homes and their peer groups.”
Mrs. Okuyemi Babafemi, principal of Ireti Senior Grammar School, lauded the initiative and expressed her gratitude to Transcorp for bringing such a meaningful programme to the students.
“The programme teaches the children how to keep their PET bottles,” she said. “It is good because, in the future, they will know how to manage plastic, how to be productive students and not wasteful children. I really align with this initiative and I am happy that the organizers came up with the idea.”
She added that the knowledge gained from the exercise would go a long way in helping the students understand how to keep their environment clean and develop habits that promote sustainable living.
With this initiative, Transcorp continues to reinforce its commitment to corporate social responsibility, sustainability and youth development by fostering environmental consciousness from a young age.
Earlier, Olasunkonmi Esther Abraham, the human resources manager of Recycle Point, a company collaborating with Transcorp in waste management, told the students to be wise by selling what they regarded as waste, adding, “There is nothing like waste. That sachet water nylon you are dumping anyhow on the road can fetch you money. That bottle of minerals and cans that you regard as waste can be recycled to produce another thing. You should redeem and recover the environment with this knowledge of wealth creation by selling them and at the same time keeping the environment clean.”